Brazil, already qualified for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, announced this Wednesday that it will host Chile on March 24 at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, on the penultimate day of the South American qualifiers.
The initial forecast was that the match would be played at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, but the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) decided to change the stadium of the match due to the sanitary restrictions in force in that city due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We want to be closer to the fans, even more so in this game, which will be the last in Brazil (at home) before the World Cup,” said the coordinator of the Brazilian team, former player Juninho Paulista, in a note disclosed by the CBF.
“We respect and understand the restrictions in force in Salvador, but our desire is to act with the largest possible public within the health regulations,” he added.
The last time the Canarinha played at the Maracana for World Cup qualifiers was in October 2008when they drew goalless against Colombia.
Juninho Paulista declared that the legendary Carioca fief allows them “better logistics” in relation to training, as this way they will be able to use the Comary Farm, the high-performance center owned by the CBF in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil, which has already secured its ticket to Qatar, is the undefeated leader of the South American qualifiers with 39 points, with a balance of twelve wins and three draws.
For its part, Chile is in sixth position with 19 points and still has qualification optionssince it is only two points away from the play-off zone, which Peru now occupies, and three from Uruguay, in fourth place, the last place with direct access to the World Cup.
On the last day, scheduled for March 29, Brazil will face Bolivia and Chile will host Uruguay at home.
Brazil and Argentina, also qualified for Qatar, still have to play, by order of FIFA, the match between them that was suspended a few minutes after starting, in September last year, after several Albiceleste players committed irregularities in the health protocol against COVID-19. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
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